I don't think he will report to training camp on time, but I also don't think that's a negative. He will be there when it counts and it does not count for another six weeks or so.

Bob

1:56

Hi Ed. How tense is the relationship between Leveon and the Steelers Org. right now? Do you know if his contract situation its affecting his personal relationship with other players?

Ed Bouchette

1:57

No, I don't believe it is. They all realize it's a business and these things happen. I can give you a long list of Steelers holdouts who eventually returned and had Hall of Fame seasons, including Jack Lambert and Rod Woodson (who did not show up as a rookie until after Halloween).

K. Cobere

1:58

Is Hawkins' potential impacting the AV negotiations?

Ed Bouchette

1:59

I don't believe so. He hasn't played a down yet and he was a fourth-round draft choice, so it's not like they have Anthony Munoz in waiting.

Ju Ju Bean

2:00

Ed, love the weekly chats. Will the Steelers sign another RB to be Lev's backup or are they content with Kniles Davis and James Conner? DeAngeloooo Maybe???????

Ed Bouchette

2:00

You can scratch DeAngelo. No, they have enough backups and they probably will only keep three total, plus a fullback.

JB

2:00

I am not surprised Bell didn't sign, I was more surprised the offer was so high. Do you believe if Bell has an injury free season and produces the way he should the Steelers are prepared to offer him the exclusive right tag again next year? Seems the offer they made shows they are prepared to pay the money to keep him and his demands may just be unreasonable.

Ed Bouchette

2:01

I have not seen the real offer, so I'm not sure about it. They can franchise him again next year if they want.

JB

2:01

Any updates on the contracts for Tuit or AV. Regardless of reports seems to me they should be able to get those done. Tuit to me is a bigger priority, if he has a great year they may not be able to sign him.

Ed Bouchette

2:02

You have to understand that everyone was on vacation, including those who negotiate contracts. They should start anew this week with the talks. Plenty of time.

JaiMe TyLeR

2:02

Hello Ed.. I love Mike Tomlin, love the Rooneys, love the Steelers.. Personally, I think the NFL helped the Steelers by giving them a softer schedule for 2017 because of the passing of Dan Rooney, no way a team that made the AFC Championship last season should have a schedule this easy, especially in the first month or so... what are your thoughts?

Ed Bouchette

2:03

The schedules are determined years in advance, except for two games and those two games are determined by your place in the standings. The NFL had nothing to do with the Steelers schedule or anyone else's other than to arrange the order in which they play their opponents.

JB

2:03

Barring injuries do you feel this may be the best chance the Steelers have had in some time to make another super bowl run? Young defense ready to blossom, offense with a ton of weapons and a top flight QB. Plus NE at home, win that and give yourself a chance for home field. Pieces are there to win now.

Ed Bouchette

2:03

Yes, they are, as they were at the start of last season and they came within one game of getting there. They also had NE at home last year and lost without Ben at QB.

Giles

2:04

Do you think Villanueva's play is worthy of a contract equivalent to the top left tackles in the league?

Ed Bouchette

2:04

No, for two reasons: He has started only 1 1/2 seasons and the Steelers have him under control at a cheap price for the next two seasons. That is worth something in contract negotiations.

Dargon

2:05

Do you think they will pay Tuitt more than Heyward on his next contract?

Ed Bouchette

2:06

I do not see why not and not because Tuitt is better or not. Cam Heyward signed his contract two years ago. Since then, the salary cap has gone up. Just as you would pay more for the same house this year that was sold two years ago, Tuitt should get more.

2:06

But that does not mean he will.

Lambert's Gang

2:07

Ed, how do you see the rotation at both ILB and OLB do you anticipate Butler limiting Debo's reps early in the season to try and save him for the stretch run?

Ed Bouchette

2:08

I can see James Harrison and T.J. Watt splitting time on the right side almost equally, and I can see Bud Dupree getting most of the snaps on the left side. I do not see a rotation at inside linebacker -- Ryan Shazier and Vince Williams will play most of the way.

The4ngryG4mer

2:08

Ed, Help me understand this franchise tag. I was under the impression that a tagged player receives the average of the top 5 players at his position. Clearly I'm confused, since the 12M that Bell will receive this year is way above the average of the top 5 RBs.

Ed Bouchette

2:09

That used to be how they figured it. Now it is much more complicated and the salary cap is part of it. I cannot explain it all here, but turn on your google machine because there are a few good, yet complicated, explanations out there.

Still Curtain

2:09

Do you have certain players and position battles you are focusing on heading into training camp?

Ed Bouchette

2:10

There really are not many. As far as starters, perhaps Ross Cockrell and UFA Coty Sensabaugh at left corner with rookie Cam Sutton a long-shot. Sutton will compete with William Gay and Senquez Golson at slot corner.

What does Bell think he's gonna achieve by not signing the franchise tag and missing camp? He knows that's what he's getting now and missing camp is about as selfish as one can be! This team is a contender now and the more time the entire offense has together the better they will be!

Ed Bouchette

2:13

I think they will be better served if he does NOT show up for training camp. It's not something he needs.

DukeMcAllister

2:13

Do you have a favorite road stadium? Any that make you cringe (musty press facilities, nasty fans, bad view of game, etc.)?

Ed Bouchette

2:14

Most stadiums in the NFL are newer and top quality. I was not a fan of San Diego, nor of Oakland. Really do not like Washington.